Please Help! Pop or All Star Movies?

[toystoryduo]

For the first time, we may be able to stay on property for part of our vacation in the Fall! We are trying to decide whether to stay at Pop Century or All Stars Movies. Which would you pick and why? Any tricks to getting the best rooms there? (We got the e-mail from WDW for $49/night. ) Any information/ experience you can share will be very helpful. Thank you!

 

[Deweysgirl]

We love ASMo and almost always stay there unless we are staying moderate. We did just return from POP Century last weekend, our first time there.

We loved the theming at POP! The food court, pools and gift shop were comparable to the All Stars. We had a nice stay and it was nice for a change. The music they have piped in around the pools and walkways is alot of fun.

The two most obvious drawbacks that we found were the A/C problem and the hard beds. We could not get the room cooled down at night to our liking and couldn't get the air to stay on. It became a little uncomfortable but not completely unbearable. The beds are probably one of the hardest I've slept on. If you like a firm mattress this is the place for you!

All in all, the small inconveniences mentioned were minor and our stay at POP was quite fun and nostalgic but our preference is with ASMo.

 

[Magic2000]

We have stayed at All Star Movies three times, and just returned from a stay at Pop Century! We have enjoyed all our stays at these resorts!!!

We stayed once in the Love Bug section of Movies, and twice in 101 Dalmations!!! My youngest DD loved 101 Dalmations!!! It was really a short walk to the food court/bus stop; and our rooms were always very quiet! We never heard our neighbors. (We stayed twice in early Dec and once last Oct)

Last month, we split our stay with Pop Century and Wilderness Lodge! We reserved the 60s since my teenage DD and DH really like the 60s. Again, it was a short walk to the food court/bus stop area; and we never heard our neighbors. Our room was on the third floor & overlooked the kiddie pool.

The only advantage, I guess, would be that Pop Century does not share buses; and the All Star Movies often share with the other All Stars.

We got one of the e-mails too, and although we were considering going back to Wilderness Lodge, I just couldn't pass up Pop Century for $49/night! We'll be there Dec 8-12! Can't wait!!!

 

[pat fan]

I think if it is an adults only trip,I would pick POP but if you have kids I think ASMovies would appeal to them more.Just my opinion, but all the movie charaters around would probablt be more fun for your kids.JMO

 

[Jasminesmommy]

I guess it all depends on what themeing you want. As far as room call 4 days before arriving and tell them what you want. I always get what section I want. Best rooms are the perfered buildings but at movies i think Toy Story is best facing Andys room.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Originally posted by Magic2000
We have stayed at All Star Movies three times, and just returned from a stay at Pop Century!

Magic2000, how was the AC in Pop Century? Did you find the room too warm at times?

Has anyone figured out how to keep the AC on? I thought I read on allears that one of the guests figured out how to keep the AC on in the Pop Century rooms (I heard it shuts off when it does not detect movement - when you are sleeping or out of your room).

toystoryduo, I had the same dilema, deciding between All-Star and Pop Century. I chose Pop for these reasons:

1. The hotel is less than a year old. I wanted to enjoy a "new" hotel.
2. There is a que area where you catch the bus (rather than a free for all like you have at the All-Star). *edited to say that this statement is incorrect - see post below*
3. School groups and such (like Pop Warner and cheerleaders) usually stay at the All-Star, so I figured the Pop would be a better choice.
4. As another poster said, Pop has its own bus.

The reasons I wanted to stay at All-Stars were:

1. The theming (DGS is a sports nut)
2. The fact that the AC stays on

I am worried about the AC at Pop since I like things cool, but I am looking forward to our stay there. Btw, I'm jealous. I didn't get a card, so am paying full price for the room.

Have fun!
Tink

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Just so y'all know, the All-Stars now have queue lines at the bus stops.

As for AC, whenever I had to deliver luggage to an unoccupied room, it was always cool, despite the fact that it had been unoccupied and empty for hours.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express
Just so y'all know, the All-Stars now have queue lines at the bus stops.

As for AC, whenever I had to deliver luggage to an unoccupied room, it was always cool, despite the fact that it had been unoccupied and empty for hours.

Thanks so much for the update, Tyler. I stand corrected on the bus stop statement.

Tink

 

[Magic2000]

Before we left for Pop Century, I was also very concerned with what I had read about the A/C not staying on. I had even asked Tyler (who I did get to meet while we were there - he's so sweet) about it on the Pop Century FAQ. He assured me that we wouldn't have a problem.

While the A/C unit does turn off without movement, I can't complain on the temperature in our room. It was always cool when we walked in, and it was cool while we slept. We did keep the thermostat on 65, and although I don't think it was really 65 degrees in the room, it was very comfortable - we all slept with the sheet and blanket to cover!!!

We split our stay with Pop Century and Wilderness Lodge. At the Wilderness Lodge, the thermostat is by the entrance to the room. You could tell it was cooler in the WL room than in Pop Century room. Of course, WL also has ceiling fans.

We did not have any problems with the A/C during our July stay! In fact, we'll be back in December!!!! (Couldn't pass up that $49/night rate!)

ENJOY YOUR STAY!!!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Thanks for the great replies! I think we are leaning towards All Star Movies because of our DDs (ages 2 and 4) who love Toy Story and 101 Dalmations. When you make ressies, can you request what building or rooms you want? If so, what building or rooms do I want at All Stars Movies? Thank you so much for your help!

 

[myboysmom]

You can request a building, but it is only a request. Depending on how busy they are they tell you that you might not get it. We requested the Buzz Light year building because our 5 year old is a big Buzz fan. We told them we wanted to be facing Andy's room. When we checked in we were told we were in the Woody building. At first we were disappointed, but when we got to our room we were facing Buzz right out our window! That was great. We really enjoyed ASMo. Theme was great, our building was close to the pool and the food court and would go there again, but would also consider pop.

 

[toystorymom]

Both the Dalmations and Toy Story sections are great! They have great theming and the locations are excellent, close to everything without costing the extra $10 of a preferred room.

You can definitely make a request when you make your reservation, they will remind you that it's only a request, no guarantees. However, when we were there in Nov. with our little Toy Story fans, they were about to assign us to a different section at check-in when I again asked if we could be put in Toy Story. The CM helped us with no problem and the boys loved being in Woody's building.